Islwyn Member of Parliament Chris Evans has challenged the UK Government to do more to tackle road pollution, after asking the Prime Minister whether she will commit to ensure hauliers use less polluting vehicles.

Mr Evans said it was a “disgrace” that Hafodyrynys Road, near Crumlin in his constituency, had been named the UK’s worst polluted road outside London.

Speaking in the House of Commons recently, Mr Evans said: “Hafodyrynys Road, which is in my constituency, is the most polluted road in the United Kingdom outside London. It is an absolute disgrace.

“Most of the pollution is caused by heavy goods vehicles such as lorries and trucks, which travel along the road spewing out noxious gases on residents.

“Will the Prime Minister commit herself to ensuring that hauliers will start using newer diesel engines, cleaner technology and cleaner energy, so that everyone, including young people, can enjoy a better quality of life, especially on Hafodyrynys Road?”

The Prime Minister said that while progress had been made, more was needed to be done and that plans will soon be unveiled.

According to the Royal College of Physicians, air and road pollution brought about mainly by diesel engines causes as many as 40,000 early deaths across the UK.

Leading a Parliamentary debate on Wednesday April 26, Mr Evans added: “The health threat associated with diesel emissions is a public health scandal. People are dying every day as a result of air pollution and this has to stop.

“People in my own constituency are affected by this problem. We need action to reduce the amount of pollution caused by diesel engines.

“The government must act now to put an end to this scandal. If proper action is not taken, I am afraid that more lives will be ruined.”